Dayak Opposition political platform

Written by: Dr. John Brian Anthony

This topic is being debated in coffeeshops, longhouses and even in the various blogs: whether Dayak Opposition should have a political party of its own or whether Dayak should be supporting a political party with national scope and agenda. Even Dayak from BN has an opinion on this topic.

Pakatan Rakyat:

Is a team comprising Keadilan, DAP, Pas and SNAP in Sarawak. Just recently, the court has given Sarawak National Party a go ahead to function as a fill f ledge political party without encumbrances. As a result of that decision, SNAP is on the road to mending itself into a party that is completely ready to carry out its objectives and aspiration.

Dayak Based Party:

Both Pesaka and PBDS has left the political scene. Pesaka emerged as a part of PBB and PBDS remnant is shared by PRS and SPDP. However, many more ex-PBDS members are chosen to lay low from frontline politics holding to the hope that one day they can be back into active politics when the environment and opportunity is right.

Both PRS and SPDP is a Dayak based party. SNAP is a Sarawak party – multi-racial in nature despite Dayak having provided the bulk of of its leaders except Datuk Amar James Wong. The current SNAP President Mr. Edwin Dundang has managed to keep SNAP alive. His tasks now is to bring it back to good health. To this end, it is actively taking steps to be in good health and healthy enough to be an important member of Pakatan Rakyat to contest in the coming State election. SNAP will need all the help it can get from all Sarawakian to make it an effective and significant party to carry on its political struggle which used to be “Sarawak for Sarawakian”.

Will the emergence of SNAP a threat to Party Keadilan?

There are mixed opinion on this. It is a fact that many Dayak are not comfortable to be a registered member of Keadilan. But in the same breathe it does not mean that these Dayak are against Parti Keadilan as it provides them with the only viable platform to push for their political struggles to bring greater progress for the Dayak community. Immediately we can see that there is no conflict in SNAP revival. There might be some change of heart but the cause is not because Keadilan is bad but rather SNAP present itself as a local platform alternative to fight for Dayak struggle and needs.

Keadilan and SNAP being both component parties of Pakatan Rakyat must focus on the same bigger and more important objective of forming the next government by defeating BN Taib Government. SNAP and Keadilan is therefor complimentary to each other. This is made easier as many Keadilan leaders across the different level were with SNAP before. Therefor the working between SNAP and Keadilan at the Sarawak level is expected to be a non-issue.

Question of Keadilan and SNAP in a misfit relationship.

Many people associate Parti Keadilan with Anwar’s fighting for his innocence on sodomy charges. So the BN people are saying that Keadilan is a personal political platform for Anwar. In this instance, I beg to differ. Many Sarawakian do not associate Parti Keadilan with Anwar personal struggle with justice but a broader struggle for justice for Malaysian people and in particular the Dayaks of Sarawak who felt that their land has been illegally taken by the Taib government from them.

Another fact is that the Dayak who are in Opposition has no alternative of political party to choose from. SNAP at that point in time was not out of trouble water as it is today. Malaysian Dayak Congress was denied registration by the Registrar of Societies and so the natural option was Keadilan.

Why didn’t the Dayak joined DAP?

That is a million dollar question! DAP actually openly invited Dayak to join them. Many Dayak join DAP as members but they have not been able to find a suitable leader to promote upward for Dayak. DAP won Kidurong seat in no small measure is contributed by Dayak votes.

The perception that DAP is a Chinese party is dominant among Dayak. This is despite the fact that DAP ADUN spoke on behalf of Dayak issues in the Dewan Undangan Negeri Sarawak. Dr. James Masing led a walk out of a Dewan sitting when DAP started the discussion on NCR issues. That is pathetic of Dr. James Masing to do so when it claims itself as champion of Dayaks in Sarawak.

DAP is now the strongest component of Pakatan Rakyat in Sarawak with the most seat. DAP is expected to win even more seats in the coming State election at the expense of SUPP. DAP will remain an important allies to Dayak political struggle and also a viable option to choose from.

Is Dayak congregating in too many political parties?

The concern should be more towards the effectiveness and the commitment of Dayak politicians towards bringing more progress to the Dayak. Minor Rural Project allocation given to Dayak by Dayak ADUN are “peanuts” and has monkey effect on the Dayak community.

Many argued that in order to be politically strong all Dayak must all reside in one party. Is that a real option or just a wish list. In fact there is no need for all Dayak to be in one party BUT it should be that all Dayak must contribute towards Dayak progress from which ever platform they are in. The Dayak must have a clear understanding of their needs and to take collective responsibility to make it happens.

Conclusion

The “atas pagar” voters as discussed in this blog will continue to play a determining role in every election. They will remain a big sector of voters that have to be convinced of a party political struggle, leaders creditability, the synergy with community needs and matter of timing etc. The fluidity of “atas pagar” voters add complexity to election result and party performance.

We can all try the Change WE Must approach to give Dayak struggle a fighting chance in the coming State Election.